Teaching children's literature : it's critical! / Christine H. Leland, [and 2 others].

Includes index.

Introduction: our mantra-enjoy! dig deeply! take action! -- Why reading aloud is crucial -- Teaching reading with literature -- Choosing books: diversity counts -- Language study: lingering in text -- Supporting literature discussions -- Books across the curriculum: focused, author, illustrator, and genre studies -- Responding to literature through the arts -- Challenging the challengers -- Literature response strategies.

Now in its third edition, the indispensable text offers a critical perspective on how to integrate children's literature into the curriculum in effective, purposeful ways. Structured around three "mantras" that build on each other-enjoy; dig deeply; take action-the book is rich with real examples of teachers implementing critical pedagogy and tools to support students' development as enthusiastic readers and thinkers. The materials and practical strategies focus on issues that impact children's lives, building from students' personal experiences and cultural knowledge by using language to question the everyday world, analyze popular culture and media, understand how power relationships are socially constructed, and consider actions that can be taken to promote social justice. Each chapter features classroom vignettes showcasing the use of literature and inviting conversation; three key principles elaborating the main theme of the chapter and connecting theory with practice; and related research on the topics and their importance for curriculum. Thoroughly revised, the third edition includes new recommendations for teaching with a critical edge and exploring alternative approaches to standardized assessment. With more attention to culturally and linguistically diverse learners and addressing new topics such as censorship and controversial texts, the new edition is essential for courses on teaching children's literature and English language arts methods, and for every perspective elementary and middle school English teacher. A companion website to enrich and extend the text includes an annotated bibliography of literature selections, suggested text sets, resources by chapter, ideas for professional development, and recommendations for further reading.